Miss Delaware Send Off Party!

Thank you to everyone that made my send off such an extraordinary event! I was trying my best not to cry and get all caught up in my emotions and it did not take long for me to tear up. There were several other people I wanted to thank, that were a huge influence throughout my journey to Miss America. (some I may have thanked already..)

First and foremost it is important that I thank God for all that he has blessed me with this year. I know that everything happens for a reason and I cannot imagine what reason he may have for why he chose to honor me with the title of Miss Delaware. The last 6months have been unforgettable, and He has helped me so much along the way.

Photo By: Dave Chambers

Next, I want to thank my family (Mom, Dad, Allison, Josh, Carrie, and Jonathan..we'll include you in family). You guys have been there for me every step of the way. You let me vent at home when I needed to, cry when I needed to, and shared all of the excitement I experienced with every new appearance. You never once let me down or told me you couldn't help me with something. You all completely understood where I was at, and it takes fantastic loving people like yourselves to do all of that with a smile everyday.

My Miss Delaware Board! What can I say but thanks! You allowed me to be myself and choose EXACTLY what I wanted to wear at Miss America. You trusted my judgment and never doubted me for one second. You helped me to perfect everything that needed tweaked a little, and complimented all that I had to offer the organization time and time again. Your support is so meaningful, and it was great to see each of your faces when I came out in my wardrobe...I knew I made the right choices then.
My lil' sis, Danielle Marshall, MDOT 2009. You are the best! I have never had a younger sibling before, but if I could ask for one it would be you! I love you so much and you have always been a huge supporter of me. You family has consistently told me how confident they are in me and how proud they are as well. I have cheerished every appearance we have had together and I will remember to remain bubbly all throughout Miss America!

My friends, I am soooooooooooo lucky to have friends like all of you. You always understood when I could only hang out on a certain day for a certain alotted amount of time. Each of you shared this exciting journey with me, and never made me feel left out for not being there to share a moment with you guys this year. I know we will continue right where we left off.

GNP (brandedgear.com) thank you so much for my banner!!! It looks fantastic and everyone was asking who made it! Your timing was perfect, and your idea for how to design was stellar! If anyone needs anything printed on practically any object, you certainly need to contact GNP! Tell them I sent you.
Christina Gowns (christinagowns.com) thank you very much for sponsoring my evening wear and swimsuit shoes! They looked great and fit perfectly. I am very lucky to have such great support!
Last but not least, all of my support and Miss Delaware volunteers! You have been the people that have kept me lifted up. You have been the people that showed me I have been representing our state well, and that I will do Delaware proud at Miss America. All of my lovely gifts are much appreciated, and your kind words will be ringing in my ears as I go on that stage next week! If there was one specific moment that I could say I truly felt like a princess it would be at my Send Off. Thanks for all of the birthday wishes, too! Lets do this!!!!

BeautyAndTheBling.com - Discount and Wholesale European Jewelry Beads and Charms - Miss America

BeautyAndTheBling.com - Discount and Wholesale European Jewelry Beads and Charms - Miss America

Click on the link above to vote for Miss Delaware! It's an online voting contest and the contestant that wins gets a $500 bracelet! Now who doesn't love jewelry??? Please help me get my numbers up by telling all of your friends to get online and simply click on the spot for Miss Delaware then click submit vote. It's that easy! Thanks for your time :)

9 Days until I head off to Vegas for Miss America....ahhhhhhhhhhhh!

What a great surprise!

When I went to Caesar Rodney High School, I played JV Girls Soccer my freshman and sophomore year under the coaching of Mr. Rathbun. Even after I switched over from soccer to theater, he still remained a huge supporter of me. I began competing in pageants my freshman year of high school, and starting that year, when I won Delaware's Junior National Teenager, I knew he was one of my biggest fans. Whenever I need a pick me up or ever think that what I am doing is not good enough, I end up running into to Coach R and instantly feel better.

After seeing him at the Caesar Rodney Homecoming Parade a few months ago, Coach R asked if he could do a small fundraiser for me to help with my Miss America expenses. I graciously accepted the idea and told him to stay in touch. A couple months after that I received one of the greatest phone calls! He called to say he had done a fundraiser and was able to raise nearly $300 for me!! You can imagine how excited I was to hear such great news. He had a couple of his classes along with his JV Girls Soccer Team, help him out in gathering the funds. Amazing!! Even better, when I went to formally accept the money in front of his classes, he surprised me with another $100, making that $400!

Every little bit helps and that was a huge help! It was nice to see support from people that have never even met me until now. Thank you very much to Coach R and his students, you have no idea how much you contribution will be remembered as I continue on my journey to becoming Miss America 2010!!

Beginning the New Year

This was actually before the New Year in December, but I am just now getting around to posting about it so please forgive me. This was at Long Neck Elementary School where I made a special guest appearance for Seasons of Respect. Ms. Kim Taylor has been my CharacterCounts! mentor, and asked if I would help her with the Seasons of Respect Celebration she was having at Long Neck Elem. Seeing that Respect is one of the six pillars of CharacterCounts! we thought it would be a great way for me to expand my platform. The fifth graders at Long Neck remembered everything Ms. Taylor taught them! I was amazed at how much they learned and how eager they were to share it with me. We enjoyed cake, dancing, and even a couple games! I know that Long Neck has some great role models walking its hallways!

The Miss Coastal Bay pageant was a great way to start off the New Year! On January 2nd, 2010 Stephanie Bailey(center of picture, blue gown) won the title of Miss Coastal Bay 2010! Congrats girl! It was an entertaining evening and it was great to see so many fellow titleholders there to watch. The 2010 Miss Delaware judges panel is going to have a tough job awaiting them in June.

This past Wednesday I had the privilege and honor to be the guest speaker at the Wilmington West Rotary Luncheon, courtesy of Mr. Don Kalil. It was great being able to share the importance of the Miss Delaware, and Miss America, program. It reaffirmed every reason I had for entering pageants, especially the Miss America pageants. I was warmly welcomed and enjoyed a wonderful lunch at the University and Whist Club in Wilmington. I even received a beautiful guest speaker pen for visiting! Thank you so much Wilmington West Rotary, I know I have many more people who will now be watching on January 30th at 8PM on TLC to see if I am crowned Miss America 2010!

Snow Day in Delaware!

A couple weeks ago, Delaware experienced one of its worst snow storms in many years. In the little town of Magnolia, we managed to get about 20 inches of snow in about a 24 hour time period!!!! We don't even get that much in an entire winter sometimes! I thought I would share a little bit of the experience with you.

Here is me attempting to contribute by shoveling out the porch and sidewalk to the cars. At this time, I did not know so much snow would fall after I was done that it would look like I did nothing! You may be able to tell that I am not an avid shoveler, but nonetheless I got the job done.

I just had to post this picture because it completely cracked me up! You know those phrases that say " You know you're a 'blank' when you 'blank'"? Ok, well this is mine... "You know you're a pageant girl when you pose for a picture of shoveling snow and you immediately go into pageant stance." Not sure what I was doing, but clearly I was not shoveling snow.

Last but not least, I wanted to share all of my snow with you, so here's me waiving "hi" from Delaware...the snow state (I wish)!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year everyone! Here's to another year and a better year than any before! This starts the countdown to leaving for Miss America. 20 days and counting!!

Thank you so much to everyone that helped me in this fantastic journey, and to everyone that is going to make the journey with me out to Vegas in support. I couldn't ask for a more supportive state. I am incredibly proud to be your Miss Delaware 2009 and hope to bring the crown home in 2010!

Enjoy this day with your friends and family, I know I will. After today it's crunch time!

Happy New Year!
Heather